An Oregon Vacation in the Beaver StateAshland The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is a regional repertory theater which annually produces eleven plays on three stages during a season that lasts from February to October. Four to five of the plays produced each year are by William Shakespeare. The plays are performed on an Elizabethan outdoor stage located in Ashland. Bend Oregon 30 miles southeast of Bend is the University of Oregon’s Department of Physics Pine Mountain Observatory, located in the Deschutes National Forest. Family fun weekends are held Friday and Saturday from late May to the last Friday or Saturday in September. Visitors can view planets and galaxies through the large telescopes, see the latest computer-based space science imagery, see the Milky Way and pick out a constellation under the dark skies. Crater Lake Another must see for families who love the outdoors on their Oregon vacation is Crater Lake. It is located in Southern Oregon on the crest of the Cascade Mountain range. It lies inside a volcanic basin, created when the 12,000 foot (3,660 meter) high Mount Mazama collapsed 7,700 years ago following a large eruption. The breathtaking view of this deep blue lake from the lakes rim is a site not to be missed on your Oregon vacation. Eugene If you happen to visit Eugene on your Oregon vacation, in early July don’t miss the Oregon County Fair. World class entertainment, hand-made crafts, delectable foods, educational displays and magical surprises at every turn of the path can be found at the Oregon County Fair. Grants Pass Rogue River tours are available from several companies depending on if you are looking for a jet boat tour, a white water rafting tour, kayaking or a fishing guide service. The Rogue River offers many adventure opportunities for your Oregon family vacation. If you happen to visit Grants Pass in early October head to riverside park for the Art along the Rogue street painting and music festival. Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center, provides for the care and treatment of sick injured and orphaned wildlife. From owls to eagles, bears to bobcats you will see and learn about these animals. The center typically has about 100 animals. Tours are free to the public. Timberline Lodge is a beautiful mountain top building built of hand cut logs in the 1930’s. Today, people from around the world come to Timberline Lodge to ski in the winter and hike the trails in the summer. Mt. Bachelor Mt Bachelor is fun for the entire family with tons to do in the summer or the winter. Mt Bachelors summer sightseeing adventure begins with a chair lift ride to the 7,500foot mid-mountain Pine Martin Lodge. From the lodge there are numerous hiking trails to see alpine lakes. More adventures guests can mountain bike the Nordic trail. In the winter, Mt. Bachelor boasts a 531” season snow total and an inch a day of fresh powder to make it one of the area’s best ski resorts. Oregon Caves National Monument Located between Grants Pass and the coast is the Oregon Caves National Monument. Here you can visit marble caves, the historical lodge, and hike forest trails. The 90 minute cave tours are moderately difficult and children need to be at least 42” tall. There is an elaborate network of underground chambers to visit where you can view a seemingly endless selection of colored stalactites, and stalagmites. Oregon City This was the end of the Oregon Trail for thousands of pioneers. At the End of The Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, built to look like covered wagons, your entire family can enjoy presentations by live History Interpreters in period attire. The interpretive center also has Bound for Oregon a multimedia experience the whole family can enjoy, along with two hands-on areas for younger visitors. The exhibit hall features unique displays throughout the year on local heritage and the Oregon Trail journey. Portland The Oregon Zoo is a great place for families to share moments of discovery and fun on their Oregon Vacation. It is home to animals from all corners of the world, including Asian elephants, Peruvian penguins and Arctic polar bears. The zoo is also home to an authentic steam engine which is one of three trains that take visitors to the wooded hills of Washington Park. Train lovers and zoo lovers will find tons to do on an Oregon vacation at the Oregon zoo in Portland. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, this science center has something for everyone in the family. From Omnimax cinematic action, to the largest indoor planetarium, to science exhibits, laser light shows, and even a submarine. This is a must stop if you are visiting Portland on your Oregon vacation. North Clackamas Aquatic Park is a great stop for those visiting the Portland area on their Oregon Family vacation. There is something here for the entire family from Big Surf, to one of the largest indoor climbing walls in the northwest. For those wanting to do some Hiking or see some wildlife on their Oregon Vacation, visit the largest city park in the United States- Forest Park. The Park was discovered by Lewis and Clark in 1803 and has an abundance of wildlife. Roseburg For those families who have taken your children hiking since before they could walk. Highway 138 from Roseburg to Diamond Lake is one of the most scenic byways in the northwest. It is filled with a collection of waterfalls, fishing holes and nature trails. Visitors can hike to more than a dozen waterfalls. In the winter Diamond lake becomes one of the most popular snowmobiling, cross country and downhill ski areas. This area is also known as the Umpqua National Forest. Springfield Splash! Lively Park Swim Center is a great indoor water park for family cooling off fun if you happen to be visiting Springfield on your Oregon vacation. Troutdale Just 20 minutes east of Troutdale you will find the Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic area. Multnomah Falls is the second tallest waterfall in the nation and Crown Point Columbia Gorge sits atop a cliff and serves as the symbol of the Columbia River Gorge both are must be seen if you are near Troutdale on your Oregon Vacation. Woodburn Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm and/or festival is a must see if you are in Woodburn during the spring. You can visit the rows and rows of beautiful tulip fields, the gift shop and buy flowers and wooden shoes or enjoy a fun filled tulip festival depending on when your Oregon vacation brings you to Woodburn. Oregon is home to world Class Rivers, mountains for skiing or hiking, the deepest lake in America and an award winning Shakespearean festival. Your entire family will love an Oregon vacation. If you are headed to the Oregon Coast and for a step back in time and a different home away from home lodging experience try Seaside OR, B&B's. More US State vacation ideas beside an Oregon vacation here. |
